The Next Generation of Sarix Cameras

The Sarix Professional Range of cameras provide superb detail, even as objects approach the camera not like competing cameras that allow objects to become oversaturated and evidentiary detail to be lost.

In 2013, Pelco revamped our entire fixed IP camera offering. After the next generation of Sarix™ cameras were released, we sat down with Senior Product Manager Kevin Saldanha to learn more about this exciting offer. As the product manager for these cameras, Saldanha explains how the new Sarix camerasdiffer from the competition and what they mean for the video security industry.

Q: TELL US ABOUT THE SARIX PRODUCT LAUNCHES AND AVAILABILITY.
A: The Sarix product launches that we did in 2013 and early 2014 were among the most ambitious product launches in Pelco’s history, considering that we updated the entire fixed IP camera product line in about one year. Looking at just the Sarix Enhanced Range and Sarix Professional Range, we launched 114 different camera models over six months. The last camera to be launched was the Sarix Enhanced Range box camera, which was released in April 2014. All of the new Sarix cameras are now released and fully available.

Q: WHAT CAMERAS ARE INCLUDED IN THE NEW SARIX PRODUCT OFFERING?
A: The Sarix Value Range, our entry-level mini box and micro dome IP network cameras, offers a cost-effective solution for video security needs in small- to medium-sized businesses. Known for their unique award-winning design, the box cameras offer unique mounting flexibility, while the micro domes ship with quick-snap in-ceiling mounts. The Sarix Professional Cameras, our mid-range cameras, are highly versatile and available in choice of many bullet, box, and dome camera models. These cameras have excellent image quality, particularly when zooming in to fine details, especially in the 5 Mpx cameras. The adaptive IR, available in bullet and some outdoor dome models, provides impressive detail in low-light situations. At the high end, we have the Sarix Enhanced Range with SureVision™ 2.0. These cameras are designed for the most difficult lighting conditions and they are available in a wide range of indoor, environmental, and vandal dome options, as well as box cameras. These impressive cameras offer WDR and low light at the same time, all the time; up to two simultaneous 1080p streams at 30fps, while multi-tasking; and superior reliability to overcome network glitches. They also include a full suite of video analytics behaviors.

Q: WHAT IS NEW IN SUREVISION 2.0 COMPARED TO PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF SUREVISION?
A: New SureVision 2.0 technology not only combines wide dynamic range (WDR), low-light, and anti-bloom capabilities but now also has 3D noise filtering, smooth response to illumination changes, and improved tone mapping to retain color accuracy and overall image contrast. This allows Sarix to automatically deliver the best possible image in the most complex and changing lighting conditions — bright areas, shaded areas, and intense light.

Q: WHAT PRODUCT ENHANCEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE THE ORIGINAL RELEASE?
A: The Sarix Enhanced Range will be ONVIF Profile G compliant this summer and the Sarix Professional Range will be ONVIF Profile G compliant this fall. The ONVIF Profile G specification sets a standard for storing, searching, retrieving, and playback of on-board storage in IP cameras. Also this summer, we are adding the full suite of Pelco Analytics to Sarix Enhanced cameras, bringing the full capabilities of intelligent video to this range of products.

Q: WHAT ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF PELCO SAYING ABOUT THE SARIX ENHANCED RANGE?
A: The Sarix Enhanced Range with SureVision 2.0 has gotten very positive reviews from industry experts. When comparing Sarix Enhanced Range with SureVision 2.0 against previous versions of SureVision and against competitors, SureVision 2.0 excels at WDR performance and 3 Mpx/1080p low-light performance. SS&I commended the Sarix Enhanced Dome on its “excellent video quality” and its ability to “easily switch from color to black and white, providing a very good image in low-light conditions.”

When set to use CVBR, Sarix Enhanced had some of the lowest bandwidth consumption at all light levels, and in some cases it beat out previous leading competitors, according to IPVM.

Q: WHAT IS CVBR? IS IT AVAILABLE IN BOTH SARIX ENHANCED AND SARIX PROFESSIONAL RANGES?
A: Yes, Constrained Variable Bit Rate (CVBR) is available in both Sarix Enhanced and Sarix Professional Ranges. CVBR can be thought of as Variable Bit Recording (VBR) with a cap. CVBR makes accurately calculating and managing bandwidth usage and storage requirements more predictable, while also ensuring lower bit rates for less complex scenes. Sarix Enhanced and Professional Range models default to CVBR to optimize bandwidth utilization and storage efficiency. Our current implementation of CVBR in Sarix Pro and Enhanced, offers much greater variability in adjusting bandwidth as a function of scene complexity, compared to CVBR in the previous generation of Sarix cameras. Now, when scene complexity is lower, bit rates are much lower – using less bandwidth and less storage. Sarix Enhanced also supports VBR, and users can select this if they desire.

Q: HAVE YOU HAD ANY INDUSTRY FEEDBACK ON THE SARIX PROFESSIONAL RANGE YET?
A: The Sarix Professional Range cameras are currently being reviewed by industry experts. We have not gotten their feedback yet. However, there are a couple of areas where we know that these cameras differentiate themselves. First, the Sarix Professional Range cameras have exceptional image clarity when you zoom in, especially in the 5 Mpx cameras. These fine details provide better information for making decisions in security situations. Secondly, the adaptive IR feature in the Sarix Professional Range cameras provides superb detail, even as objects approach the camera. Many competing cameras struggle with using IR as a source of illumination since it is easy for objects to become oversaturated and evidentiary detail to be lost as objects come closer to the camera.

The wide range of Sarix Professional products at very competitive price points is rapidly gaining market attention and traction.

Q: WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE OLDER SARIX CAMERA MODELS?
A: All Sarix IX, ID, IE, IM Series cameras will stop shipping as of this summer. This includes all product options, Extended Platform versions and Image-Pak products based on these legacy Sarix models. There are a few exceptions; the IXE20DN, IDE20DN, IEE20DN and IXE10LW will continue to be available until Dec. 31, 2014. All of these cameras will be supported through the full length of their warranty. Talk to your local sales representative for details.

Q: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT OUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT THE SARIX CAMERAS?
A: The differentiation we offer extends beyond the depth and breadth of our compelling IP camera offerings. When you choose Pelco, you enjoy our unparalleled commitment to customer support. As the hands-down leader in innovative customer service, Pelco continues to deliver an expanding array of accessories, services, tools, and programs — all designed to help you manage your business more effectively.

We are adding the full suite of Pelco Analytics to Sarix Enhanced cameras bringing the full capabilities of intelligent video to this range of products.”